November 22, 2024
On the 50th anniversary of Lucy’s discovery, paleoanthropologists reflect on what she taught us about ourselves. Plus, divers have recovered seeds of a long-lost rye variety from a 146-year-old shipwreck in Lake Huron. And, a potato researcher explains potato varieties, potato nutrition, and some tubular tuber facts.
SciFri Live Is Heading To Ames, Iowa!
On Saturday, May 4, join Ira Flatow and the Science Friday team in Ames, IA for a special live stage version of our radio show.
Sign Up For ‘Science Goes To The Movies’
In this newsletter, we explore all the science there is to find onscreen—in the theater or streaming at home!
Humanity and AI
How will generative AI change the human world? On Science Friday’s podcast, AI experts share what they know.
12:16
Private Spacecraft Makes Historic Moon Landing
The Odysseus lander, made by Intuitive Machines and launched by SpaceX a week ago, is the first commercial mission to soft-land on the moon.
5:52
A New Recipe For Cloud Seeding To Boost Snowfall In Idaho
Scientists try swapping silver iodide for liquid propane to keep long-running cloud seeding programs effective in warmer temperatures.
17:07
OpenAI’s New Product Makes Incredibly Realistic Fake Videos
A security expert weighs in on Sora, OpenAI’s new text-to-video generator, and the risks it could pose, especially during an election year.
12:16
How One Invading Ant Species Sent Ripples Through A Food Web
In Kenya, the new species pushed out ants that protected acacia trees. That had cascading effects for elephants, zebras, lions, and buffalo.
17:00
Blood In The Water: Shark Smell Put To The Test
Despite their reputation as super-smellers, sharks don’t have a better sense of smell than other fish. One researcher investigates.
17:29
As Space Exploration Expands, So Will Space Law
A new generation of space lawyers will broker deals and handle disputes between countries as the world enters a new era of space exploration.
11:11
A ‘Jeopardy!’ Winner Studied How Trivia Experts Recall Facts
How can some people recall random facts so easily? It may have to do with what else they remember about the moment they learned the information.
14:12
Protegiendo a la tarántula ‘Satanás’ y a otras adorables arañas
Un equipo de científicos de Ecuador busca describir especies desconocidas de arácnidos para ayudar en su conservación.
Model Chemical Elements And Molecules With Bricks
Build simple atoms and molecule models using plastic construction bricks—like LEGO—as you explore the elements that shaped all life on Earth.
How Gamification Has Crept Into School, Work, And Fitness
Game developer and author Adrian Hon explains the consequences of allowing gaming principles to creep into so many corners of our lives.
Science Friday Is Coming To Boulder, CO!
On Saturday, July 27, join Ira Flatow and the Science Friday team in Boulder for a special live stage version of our radio show.
12:15
Odysseus Lander Is On Its Way To The Moon
If successful, it will be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since the Apollo mission.
7:59
A Year After Chemical Spill, Ohio Community Is Still Recovering
In East Palestine, Ohio, the stream that flows under residents’ houses is still polluted following a train derailment and chemical spill.
8:57
Sacre Bleu! Some French Cheeses At Risk Of Extinction
A lack of diversity in the microbes that make Camembert, brie, and some blue cheeses could mean we bid adieu to some French varieties.
12:15
How Do You Know If A Feathered Dinosaur Could Fly?
Researchers found that a specific number and symmetry of certain feathers can indicate whether a bird (or dinosaur) could fly.
17:30
Understanding And Curbing Generative AI’s Energy Consumption
As the environmental costs of tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E mount, governments are demanding more clarity from tech companies.
16:15
Making Chemistry More Accessible To Blind And Low-Vision People
Scientists are working to make chemical research more accessible to blind and low-vision students through 3D-printed models and modified equipment.